Glades Central Expects Smooth Ride

A broken-down team bus is the only thing that could stop the Glades Central Raiders from sweeping the Class 2A track titles Saturday in Winter Park.

Even if the bus dies, the teams are fast enough to get out and run to Showalter Field to claim the titles.

The Raiders` expected sweep -- they have enough talent to beat anyone regardless of class -- will end a three-day run of meets at Showalter Field. Action starts today with the Region 3-4A meet, with the Class 1A state meet Friday.

The Glades teams, which dropped from Class 3A this year, haven`t been pressed this year, easily winning District 7-2A titles by more than 100 points. The boys qualified someone in every event for the state meet.

``What I`ve been preaching to my boys in practice this week is `Don`t beat yourself,``` coach Willie McDonald said. ``We have to have good baton passing and not make mental mistakes, no jumping the gun. We haven`t jumped the gun this year.``

In a sense McDonald isn`t jumping the gun to claim the state title.

``I have a saying that if you have to kill an ant with an ax handle or an atom bomb, use the atom bomb,`` McDonald said. ``I told my boys to use the atom bomb. Don`t take any chances.``

Gilbert Grantlin, one of the nation`s top sprinters, should win the 100- and 200-meter races. ``I`m just hoping there`s someone who can push him,`` McDonald said.

His top times are 10.3 and 21.4, and he anchors the fastest 4x100-meter relay in Florida history. The Raiders clocked a 40.60 at the Palm Beach/Broward meet April 10. Like Grantlin, the relay hasn`t had anyone close to it this year.

Wayne Messam is a favorite in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles and the triple jump. Tex Moulton may win the shot put, while Keith Roland is a top discus thrower.

In the girls` meet, Phyllis Brooks should easily win the 100- and 300-meter titles, which she won in Class 3A. She`s also a threat in the long jump and high jump. Shundra Smith has the county`s top mark in the long jump (17-11 1/ 2) and will compete with teammate Anjeannette Gilbert for the triple jump title.

In the Class 1A state meet, Julian Reynolds of Benjamin will run for her fifth and sixth state championships. She won the 800 and 1,600 as a seventh- and eighth-grader.

Kelly Rouse of Summit Christian will contend for titles in the 100 and 200.

In the Region 3-4A meet, the Palm Beach Lakes girls, four-time defending state champions, will be among the favorites for the team title.

Santaluces, with Desi Thomas a threat to win the long jump and high jump titles, should score well. John I. Leonard, with middle-and long-distance runners Jamie Fain, Chris Thomas, Ryan McNally and Luis Ruiz, will also qualify several athletes for next week`s state meet.